October 19, 2013 03:06 PM UTC

Pro-recall operatives try and fail to get counterprotesters arrested

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• by: Alan

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

This morning, I joined dozens of my neighbors out in support of Sen. Evie Hudak, who is targeted by the extreme right as part of yet another costly and unnecessary recall election. I've known Sen. Hudak for many years. Back in 2007, my son was a student at Weber Elementary when the school fell victim to an arson attack. Evie Hudak, then a member of the Colorado Board of Education, attended every meeting of parents during that traumatic period as we figured out what this all meant for our children's education. Sen. Hudak is a caring public servant who has faithfully represented the people of Senate District 19, my neighbors. She deserves better than the right's shameful political opportunism.

Today, Evie's friends struck back, and the right wing was not happy. At 80th and Wadsworth in Arvada, a group of five or six people holding "decline to sign" and "Stand with Evie" posters kept a respectful distance from the pro-recall crew's table. But that apparently wasn't enough: we were angrily notified by the pro-recall folks that we were breaking the law, violating a "150 foot limit" they believed we were obligated to stay away from their table. They then called the Arvada police to the scene. Here's the video I shot, and you can hear me speaking to both police and pro-recall operatives:

I told both the police and the pro-recall demonstrators that I had been there the whole time, and asked what unspecified behavior our side had engaged in to warrant calling the cops. They didn't answer right away, but eventually admitted that all we had done is gotten closer than 150 feet to them.

I personally have no idea where recall operatives got the idea they are entitled to a "150 foot limit," but the police realized quickly that no violation of the law by either side was taking place. In the four hours I was out there, I was personally very encouraged by the support we got from passers by–my neighbors–many of whom were pleasantly surprised to see the recall petition drive being challenged.

And I'm surer than hell not going to be pushed around by people who don't know the law.